Personal training blog

The best folding bikes 2015

Cycling is a great way not just to get fit but also is one of the greenest modes of transport. Although you may not be able to cycle all the way to work you may be able to do part of the journey on bicycle if you get a folding bike. These can fit easily into the boot of your car and can be assembled in seconds. Folding bikes also have the huge advantage of being allowed on most public transport in the UK, including trains and most busses. They are also much easier to take away with you on holidays and some of them are good on all terrain, not just city streets.

Cycling to work (or at least part of the way) is also a super time effective way of getting exercise that you may not have time to fit in. It can keep you healthy and prevent heart disease and cancer.

So here are the best folding bikes 2015; they are not cheap but they hold their value well and of course you could think about a good second-hand model too.

Brompton M1E – ideal for commuting, the M1E weighs in at just 10kg and has the well known easy folding mechanism. A lack of gears is why it’s so light, but it still cycles easily and is very quick on level surfaces. (£770 www.evanscycles.com)

Montague Paratrooper – Most folding bikes have small wheels and are best suited to city terrain, but the Paratrooper is a proper folding mountain bike complete with 24 gears. It also has disk brakes on the front rear wheel for braking in the wet. (£720 www.halfords.com)

Pacific Cycles IF move – Pretty light at just 11kg and winner os several design awards, the IF move can be folded in just 2 seconds. You can also get it to go super small by unscrewing the handlebars. It’s a bit pricey though. (£2200 www.fudgesccylesonline.com)

Dahon Visc P18 – a cross between a conventional folding bike and a mountain bike, the P18 can cover both city streets and also rougher terrain. It’s made by well respected US brand Dahon and also looks cool. (£720 halfords.com)

Dublin Explorer – a great bike for those who are looking to spend less (bikes tend to get stolen eventually away!) the Explorer has 6 gears for negotiating hills, folds in just 60 seconds and weighs in at a respectable 13kg (£109 www.bicycles4u.com)